God Looks at the Heart - Beloved Women - January 16, 2024
READ: “For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV)
TODAY'S ENCOURAGEMENT: As I pulled a bright green apple out of the refrigerator for my daughter, I noticed that it was cool to the touch and looked like an appetizing snack. But when I cut into the apple, I saw it was rotten with brown spots on the inside. As beautiful as it was on the outside, it was no good because of its rotten core. No matter how hard I washed and polished the outside of the apple, the inside was not going to change.
The same is true for us. No matter how well we dress the part and act like we think a Christian should, we will not please God if we are rotten on the inside. He wants us to be fruitful, but he doesn’t want rotten fruit. 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us: "The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Thankfully, when we give our lives to Christ, he changes us from the inside out. No need to put on a show. Just place your faith in Jesus in order to live the real, new, and authentic life God desires for you.
PRAY: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for making me new in Christ. I pray for the courage and wisdom to walk out my love for you with integrity and honor. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.
REFLECT: Which area of your life have you been holding back on giving to God?
CONNECT: Study the Bible with Christina Patterson at www.belovedwomen.tv and connect with her on Instagram @ChristinaHPatterson.
MORE BELOVED: Join Beloved Women for our next online Bible Study “Worth More Than Rubies: A Bible Study on the 7 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman.” If you’re tired of feeling like you are not enough and you can’t measure up, this study offers a graceful approach to learning about the heart of the Proverbs 31 woman. Learn more and join at https://www.belovedwomen.org/rubies.
© 2021 by Christina Patterson. All rights reserved.
For more Beloved encouragement including Daily Devotionals, practical advice for everyday Christian living, Bible Studies, and more be sure to visit us at www.belovedwomen.org.
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Originally published Tuesday, 16 January 2024.
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